Best 4 Traditional British Mincemeat For Christmas Mince Pies Recipes

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In the heart of British culinary tradition, mincemeat holds a special place. This rich, flavorful mince is not what its name suggests – it's a delectable mixture of dried fruits, spices, brandy, and suet. Its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where it was a luxurious dish reserved for special occasions. Over the centuries, mincemeat evolved into a beloved Christmas delicacy, gracing tables in the form of mince pies – a festive pastry that embodies the spirit of the season.

This article presents a collection of traditional British mincemeat recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic dish. From the classic beef suet mincemeat to the vegetarian suet-free version, and even a gluten-free option, there's a recipe here to suit every taste and dietary preference. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, these detailed instructions and helpful tips will guide you through the process of making this delectable treat. So, gather your ingredients, embark on this culinary journey, and experience the timeless flavors of traditional British mincemeat.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

TRADITIONAL BRITISH MINCE PIE



Traditional British Mince Pie image

This crumbly, sweet, sticky traditional mince pie recipe is so easy to make for your Christmas spread.

Provided by Elaine Lemm

Categories     Dessert     Snack     Brunch     Pie

Time 1h20m

Yield 18

Number Of Ingredients 9

For the Pastry:
350 grams all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting the work surface)
225 grams unsalted butter (or an equal mix of butter and lard; cold and cubed)
1 pinch salt
1 egg (beaten)
Water (cold, as needed)
For the Pie:
1 (776-gram) jar mincemeat (store-bought or homemade mincemeat )
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Place the flour, butter, and salt into a large clean bowl.
  • Rub the butter quickly into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles rough sand.
  • Stir the egg into the mixture using a cold knife.
  • Add the cold water, a teaspoon at a time, and stir until the mixture binds but is not sticky.
  • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for a minimum of 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes.
  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 F / 200 C / Gas Mark 6. Choose a muffin or bun tin for the size of the tart you want. Choose from a standard 12-cup muffin tin down to small canapé size. The number of pies will depend on the size of the tin you use.
  • Dust a work surface lightly with a little flour and roll out 2/3 of the pastry to 1/8 inch thick. Cut circles to line the cups of your tin; don't worry if the pastry doesn't come to the very top.
  • Fill the pastry-lined tins 2/3 full with mincemeat.
  • Roll out the remaining pastry to the same thickness and cut smaller circles to fit as lids on the tarts or, to be decorative, cut stars or other fancy shapes.
  • Dampen the edges of the tart bases with a little cold water and press the lids on. Make a small hole in the surface of each pie with a small sharp knife to allow the steam to escape.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes (15 minutes if making canapé-sized ones), or until golden brown.
  • Let cool and sprinkle with the confectioners' sugar.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 292 kcal, Carbohydrate 36 g, Cholesterol 37 mg, Fiber 2 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Sodium 123 mg, Sugar 13 g, Fat 15 g, ServingSize 12-18 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

TRADITIONAL BRITISH MINCEMEAT FOR CHRISTMAS MINCE PIES!



Traditional British Mincemeat for Christmas Mince Pies! image

A subtle blend of sweet and savoury with just a hint of alcohol which echoes the ancient practice of adding spice and fruit to meat dishes. I also have a "Boozy Fat Free" mincemeat recipe posted,Recipe #184762, but if you wish to make a mincemeat recipe with little or no alcohol, this is a wonderful traditional recipe for long lasting mincemeat. Mincemeat was always made at home before the advent of commercial brands, and although this is based on an old recipe, this was obviously made after the introduction of sugar into England. In earlier times mincemeat was a mixture of real meat, spices and fruit. The only remaining and symbolic ingredient of this ancient culinary practice is the inclusion of the suet - which can be beef or vegetable suet for vegetarians. Excellent in mince pies and all manner of steamed and sticky puddings! PS. If you cannot obtain suet locally, you can use grated butter instead; place the butter in the freezer until nearly frozen and very firm and then grate into the bowl straight away.

Provided by French Tart

Categories     Lemon

Time P14DT30m

Yield 4-6 Jars

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 cups shredded beef suet (or grated butter) or 2 cups shredded vegetable suet (or grated butter)
2 cups light brown sugar
4 cups raisins
4 medium cooking apples
2 cups currants
2 tablespoons candied lemon peel
2 tablespoons candied orange peel
1 tablespoon citrus mixed candied peel
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons mace
3 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon almond essence
3 tablespoons blanched almonds
2 tablespoons brandy or 2 tablespoons apple juice
1 lemon, juice and rind of
2 -4 tablespoons sherry wine

Steps:

  • Chop the nuts and candied peel finely.
  • Peel, core and chop the apples into small pieces.
  • Stir together with all the other ingredients and seal in sterilised jars.
  • Keep for at least 2 weeks before using in mince pies, mincemeat cakes, mincemeat puddings and steamed puddings.

MINCEMEAT



Mincemeat image

Mincemeat is a traditional English treat that is usually used as filling for mince pies during Christmas, but it tastes great mixed with vanilla ice cream, as well. This recipe uses butter instead of the traditional suet, which makes this mincemeat suitable for vegetarians. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks.

Provided by Ita

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     UK and Ireland     English

Time 50m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 large green apple, peeled and finely chopped
1 ¼ cups sultana raisins
1 ⅛ cups white sugar
½ cup dried currants
½ cup raisins
½ cup butter
½ cup chopped almonds
1 ½ tablespoons grated orange zest
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup brandy

Steps:

  • Combine cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice in a bowl. Reserve 1 heaped teaspoon for the mincemeat. Store the rest in a small jar for a later use.
  • Inspect two 12-ounce jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until mincemeat is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
  • Combine apple, sultanas, sugar, currants, raisins, and butter in a saucepan. Cook over low heat and stir gently until butter has melted. Stir in chopped almonds, orange zest, 1 teaspoon of mixed spice, and cinnamon. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and set mincemeat aside to cool down for 30 minutes. Stir in brandy. Spoon into sterilized jars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 156.3 calories, Carbohydrate 21.9 g, Cholesterol 10.2 mg, Fat 5 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 0.9 g, SaturatedFat 2.6 g, Sodium 32.6 mg, Sugar 19.5 g

TRADITIONAL MINCEMEAT



Traditional mincemeat image

Try making your mincemeat well in advance of Christmas to give the flavours maximum time to mature

Provided by James Martin

Categories     Treat

Time 20m

Yield Makes about 2kg (4 x 500ml jars)

Number Of Ingredients 9

250g raisins
375g currants
100ml brandy
zest of 1 lemon, juice of ½
300g shredded suet
250g dark brown sugar
85g chopped mixed peel
½ small nutmeg, grated
1 large Bramley apple, peeled and grated

Steps:

  • Soak the raisins and currants in the brandy and lemon juice for 1 hr until plumped up, then drain and set the brandy aside. Mix all the ingredients together in the order given, then pour in the brandy when everything else is well mixed. Spoon and press into sterilised jars, to exclude any air (the easiest way to sterilise jars is to run them through a dishwasher on its hottest setting). Cover and leave for at least a fortnight. Will keep in the fridge for up to 6 months.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 70 calories, Fat 3 grams fat, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 10 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 9 grams sugar, Sodium 0.01 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Use a mix of different dried fruits for a more complex flavor. Try using a combination of raisins, currants, sultanas, and mixed peel.
  • Soak the dried fruits in alcohol overnight for a richer flavor. You can use brandy, rum, or sherry.
  • Add some minced beef suet or butter to the mincemeat for a more traditional flavor. Suet is the hard fat that surrounds the kidneys of an animal.
  • Season the mincemeat with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for a warm and festive flavor.
  • Store the mincemeat in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months. You can also freeze it for up to 6 months.

Conclusion:

Traditional British mincemeat is a delicious and versatile filling for mince pies, Christmas cakes, and other festive treats. It's easy to make at home and can be stored for months, making it a great option for busy holiday bakers. With its rich flavor and festive spices, mincemeat is sure to bring some holiday cheer to your table.

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